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FAA begins $12.5 billion air site visitors management overhaul
FAA’s $12.5 billion overhaul goals to modernize air site visitors management, increase security, and enhance effectivity inside three years.
- A partial authorities shutdown started on Saturday, Jan. 31.
- At challenge was funding for the Department of Homeland Security, together with ICE.
- Travelers may face longer safety strains and potential flight delays or cancellations.
It’s occurring once more.
Less than three months after the longest U.S. authorities shutdown in historical past ended, a partial authorities shutdown started on Saturday, Jan. 31, threatening to disrupt air journey.
At challenge was funding in a spending bundle that may fund six authorities companies past Friday, Jan. 30. A funding invoice handed the Senate, however it additionally must move the House of Representatives, which has been in recess.
A partial shutdown would pressure airports and airways simply as they recuperate from snowstorm-related disruptions. Hundreds of flights have been canceled from Jan. 23-28 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport due to Winter Storm Fern, which introduced snow, sleet and freezing rain to the Northeast and South.
Fortunately for vacationers, the affect of this partial shutdown is predicted to be short-lived. Here’s what we all know.
What’s the explanation for the partial authorities shutdown?
Democrats and Republicans disagreed on the spending bundle due to funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which incorporates funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. To resolve the disagreement, the Senate proposed funding Homeland Security for 2 weeks whereas they negotiated ICE reforms.
While the Senate invoice handed, it hasn’t gone to a vote within the House. In an interview, House Speaker Mike Johnson blamed “logistical challenges” in bringing lawmakers again to Washington, D.C. from their districts for the delay in bringing the invoice to the House. Johnson added that the House vote may occur as quickly as Tuesday, Feb. 3.
ICE has come underneath hearth for federal brokers’ operations in Minneapolis, the place brokers shot and killed Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, each U.S. residents.
Anti-ICE protests in Arizona have amplified since DHS raided Zipps Sports Grill eating places on Jan. 26; 35 undocumented immigrants have been arrested because the investigation unfolded.
Is TSA affected by the federal government shutdown?
The Transportation Security Administration is a part of Homeland Security and can be affected if the federal government shuts down.
TSA officers, who’re answerable for airport safety in airports nationwide together with Sky Harbor, are thought-about important and would proceed to work.
Workers who give flight clearance and confirm at border management are additionally deemed important.
Travelers ought to put together for longer than typical waits in safety as some officers could not report back to work in the course of the shutdown.
Security checkpoints at Sky Harbor had principally regular operations in the course of the October-November 2025 shutdown, however sometimes skilled wait instances of greater than 20 minutes. As of 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, Sky Harbor reported safety wait instances between 12 and 16 minutes.
Travelers can acquire dwell updates on the airport’s safety waits at skyharbor.com.
The TSA didn’t reply to a request for remark from The Arizona Republic about how a shutdown would have an effect on their operations.
Why is there a scarcity of air site visitors controllers throughout the federal government shutdown?
Besides Homeland Security, one of many different six companies that hasn’t been funded but is the Department of Transportation, which incorporates the Federal Aviation Administration. That means the partial shutdown would affect air site visitors management.
Like the TSA, controllers would proceed to work when a shutdown occurs, however some could not report back to work due to the monetary uncertainty.
Issues with air site visitors management staffing can result in flight delays and/or cancellations.
During the earlier shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy mandated flight cuts at 50 airports due to controller shortages. Sky Harbor was one in all them, as staffing shortages disrupted business flights and compelled a short lived shutdown of normal aviation flights.
The FAA didn’t reply to a request for remark from The Republic about how a shutdown would have an effect on its operations, together with air site visitors management.
Will Grand Canyon be open if the federal government shuts down?
Grand Canyon and different nationwide parks nationwide and in Arizona will stay open.
National parks should not affected by this shutdown as a result of the Department of the Interior, which incorporates the National Park Service, was funded by means of an appropriations invoice that President Donald Trump signed into law on Jan. 23.
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Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s lined journey and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s client journey reporter goals to assist readers navigate the stresses of touring and get one of the best worth for his or her cash on their holidays. He may be reached at [email protected].
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